We have updated your step by step tools to win the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 grant. Some quick quesstions were added so you can simplify the beginning of your proposal preparation. Extensive instructions, examples and Insider tips and tricks included. Find out more at http://www.h2020manuals.eu/ or http://store.h2020manuals.eu/. You can find our previous slideshare at: https://www.slideshare.net/H2020Manuals/how-to-write-a-winning-h2020-proposal-sme-instrument-phase-1

1. HOW TO WRITE A
WINNING H2020 PROPOSAL
SME Instrument Phase 1

2.  Horizon 2020 programme for funding
innovative SMEs
 Aim: to fill the gaps in funding and to
accelerate the exploitation of
innovation
 3 billion EUR of funding available
over the period 2014-2020
 740 million EUR in 2016-2017
should benefit around 2000 SMEs
WHAT IS THE SME
INSTRUMENT?

3. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
 Only SMEs are allowed to apply for funding
 For the first time in the history of EU funding, a
single SME can apply directly for funding
 Simple rules and procedures
 Continuously open call with 4 cut-off dates per
year
 No obligation to sequentially cover all phases
 Activities at TRL 6 or above

4. THE THREE PHASES
PHASE 1
Feasibility assessment
PHASE 2
Innovation project
PHASE 3
Commercialisation
- proposal: 10 pages
- 6 months
- 50 000 EUR
- up to 3 coaching days
- proposal: 30 pages
- 1–2 years
- 0,5–2,5 Million EUR
- up to 12 coaching
days
- support services
- networking
opportunities
- no direct funding

5. WHAT IS PHASE 1 ABOUT?
 Explore the scientific or technical feasibility and commercial potential of the
innovation.
 Project has to be aligned to the business strategy of the company.
 Funding is provided in the form of a lump sum of EUR 50.000.
 Projects should last around 6 months.
 Activities: proof of technical and commercial viability, risk assessment,
development of pilot application, design of market study, user involvement
studies, IP exploration, partner search, study of requirements for additional
expertise, and the like.
 The expected outcome of the project is a feasibility study (technical and
commercial), including a business innovation plan, recommendations for
additional innovation activities, and private financing needs.

6. CALL TOPICS 2016-2017
Call ID Topic
SMEInst-01-2016-2017 Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
SMEInst-02-2016-2017 Nanotechnologies, advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and
processing technologies
SMEInst-03-2016-2017 Dedicated support to biotechnology SMEs closing the gap from lab to market
SMEInst-04-2016-2017 Space research and development
SMEInst-05-2016-2017 Healthcare biotechnology
SMEInst-06-2016-2017 ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well
SMEInst-07-2016-2017 Sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based
sectors
SMEInst-08-2016-2017 Innovative solutions for blue growth
SMEInst-09-2016-2017 Low carbon and efficient energy system
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Transport and Smart Cities Mobility
SMEInst-11-2016-2017 Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials
SMEInst-12-2016-2017 New business models for inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
SMEInst-13-2016-2017 Engaging SMEs in security research and development

7. CUT-OFF DATES 2018-
2020
2018:
•8 February
•3 May
•5 September
•7 October
2019:
•13 February
•7 May
•5 September
•6 November
2020:
•12 February
•6 May
•2 September
•4 November

8. TARGET COMPANIES
 for-profit SMEs
 established in the EU Member states or countries associated with
Horizon 2020
 must have fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of
no more than 50 million EUR and/or an annual balance sheet of
no more than 43 million EUR
Target companies are innovative SMEs, capable of developing the
proposed innovation and take it to the market that cannot find
immediate financing on the market because of their high-risk
character!

9. WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY?
 To open your way to new markets.
 To improve the image of your company and rank among the best
European SMEs.
 To gain visibility at a European and global level.
 To access professional business/management coaching.
 To establish new contacts in an innovative and competitive
environment.
 To benefit from great networking opportunities.
 To access substantial funding.
 To gain support for follow-up financing.

10. EVALUATION PROCESS
CRITERIA:
Impact (economic impact on the users of the innovation, the
applicants and the European economy)
Excellence (description of the problem; project approach, activities
and goals; features and advantages of the innovation; description of
state-of-the-art; main technical and commercial risks)
Quality of Implementation (sound and comprehensive description of
work; availability of relevant resources)
PHASE 2 THRESHOLD:
 Impact criteria: 4/5
 Overall score: 12/15
Do your own self assesment at: SME Instrument- Self assesment Tools

11. OVERVIEW OF PHASE -1 EVALUATION
PROCESS
Source: European Commission: Horizon 2020's SME Instrument Guidelines for Applicants (draft)

12. SUCCESS RATE PER
EU MEMBER STATE
Source: European Commission, Horizon 2020 Latest results
(19.10.2017)
Since the launch of the programme
on 1 January 2014, 2422 SMEs
have been selected under Phase 1
of the SME Instrument.

13. SOME ELEMENTS OF WINNING
PROPOSALS
 Convincing business
opportunity
 Business oriented approach
and structure
 Evaluation-friendly proposal
 High credibility of information
 A compelling abstract
 Engaging visual appearance

14. QUICK GUIDING QUESTIONS FOR
WINNING PROPOSAL ELEMENTS
Convincing business opportunity
• What problem / unmet need does the innovation address?
• Why does it present a business opportunity?
• Explain the objectives
Business oriented approach and structure
• How does the solution work?
• How does the solution solve the identified problem?
• How will you use the identified business opportunity?
• Why is the proposed innovation disruptive from market and technical/scientific perspective?
• Why does your solution provide more value to potential customers than competing solutions?
Evaluation-friendly proposal
• Is my proposal in line with evaluation criteria?
• Is it easily readable, uses correct language and sentence formation?
• Is it dull or does it have visuals that clearly present wanted information?
More at https://www.h2020manuals.eu

15. QUICK GUIDING QUESTIONS FOR
WINNING PROPOSAL ELEMENTS
High credibility of information
• Is the data provable? Can it be checked? Did you add sources to your research data?
• Are the used sources credible?
A compelling abstract
• Are you creating a right first impression?
• Is it clear, easy-to-understand and representative?
• Did you focus on the essential questions?
Engaging visual appearance
• The information is presented visually – the proposal includes elements such as figures, diagrams, charts
and tables and allow evaluators to visualise the information?
• There should be minimally one visual per page.
More at https://www.h2020manuals.eu

16. DISCOVER THE TOOLS THAT
WILL IMPROVE YOUR
SME INSTRUMENT PHASE 2
PROPOSAL!
SME-1 Guidebook
SME-1 Proposal template
SME-1 Self-assessment tool
SME-1 Proposal Clinic

17. With The Guidebook You Will Be
Able To:
 step-by-step lead the team that prepares
the proposal
 develop the right strategy for the proposal
 replicate the best practices used by
winning SME Instrument proposals
 design optimal formatting and document
structuring
 understand the evaluation process and
exact evaluation criteria
 save enormous time otherwise spent on
getting through 450+ pages of
documentation available online

18. With The Template You Will Be
Able To:
 answer to all necessary questions and
include essential elements, ensuring
that you do not make one of the fatal
mistakes - missing out any key
information
 present data with editable visuals
 make the best use of formatting and
visuals
 save your energy and time spent on
styling
 focus entirely on the content, instead
of spending your time on layout and
formatting

19. With The Self-assessment TOOL
You Will Be Able To:
 recognize the strengths and
weaknesses of your proposal
 recognize and avoid mistakes that
could kill your proposal
 understand the full potential of
your innovation
 better allocate your time and effort
when preparing the proposal
 prepare a winning SME-1 proposal
in accordance with actual
evaluation criteria

20. With The Proposal Clinic You Will
Be Able To:
 improve your proposal through tips from
experienced SME experts, who will simulate
the official evaluation procedure and give
you 20 recommendations for the
improvement of your proposal
 understand the strengths and weaknesses
and overall potential of your
proposal through one hour of consultation
with experienced SME expert
 focus on the important elements of the
proposal
 meet the real evaluation criteria, which will
significantly improve your proposal scores

21. TOOLBOXES
Full Package Pro Toolbox Basic Toolbox
• Manual
• Proposal template
• Self-assessment
tool
• Proposal clinic
• Manual
• Proposal template
• Self-assessment
tool
• Manual
• Proposal template

22. Find out more:
www.h2020manuals.eu
store.h2020manuals.eu
www.twitter.com/h2020manuals
www.facebook.com/h2020manu
als
+386 59 050 159
info@h2020manuals.eu